Dr. William Neal Cobb, 83, passed away Oct. 1, 2022, following an extended illness.
He was preceded in death by parents Billy Sunday Cobb, Frances Virginia Leach Cobb and son-in-law Alan DeWitt Morris.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Betty Jane Hefner; his children, Dr. William Mark Cobb (Mandy), Kimberly Leigh Morris (partner Rich Wagner), and Sheri Elizabeth Rawlinson (Chuck); his grandchildren, Emma Leigh Morris Sniper (Brad) and Addie Leigh Morris Terry (Kyle); sister, Lynn Cobb Orr (Ronnie); and sister-in-law, Peggy Jean Kirkman; and a nephew, several nieces and cousins.
Neal attended North Georgia College, Georgia State University and graduated from Emory University School of Dentistry 68. Upon graduation, he served as a Captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps.
He established a private practice in Cleveland, Georgia practicing dentistry for the next 20 years. Relocating to Savannah, he served as Dental Director at Georgia Regional Hospital, practicing an additional 18 years.
Neal served as adjunct faculty member, School of Dental Hygiene at Armstrong State College and faculty adjunct at the Medical College of Georgia. Professional memberships; Xi Psi Phi Professional Dental Fraternity, American Dental Association, Georgia Dental Association, Southeastern District Dental Society of Georgia, Academy of General Dentistry, and Southern Association of Institutional Dentists. Civic activities include; Charter member and President, White County Rotary Club, recipient of the Honorary Paul Harris Fellow Award, Village Health Advisory Board, White County Medical Advisory Board and Interim President of Board of Directors of White County Chamber of Commerce.
Neal was instrumental in major improvements in community medical services and facilities via collaboration with Northeast Georgia Medical Center, White County Neighborhood Care Center Advisory Board and the White County Medical Commission. As part of his community outreach, he provided on-site dental services for an assisted living community.
He had many interests including boating, fishing, scuba diving, riding motorcycles and reading. He loved sharing quality time with his family, friends and especially his children and grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life is to be held on Nov. 26, 2022, 1 p.m., at St. James Episcopal Church in Clayton, Ga. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missions in Ministry through St. James Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 69, Clayton, Georgia 30525 or the Community Dental through The Clayton Rotary Foundation, c/o Community Dental, P.O. Box 1088, Clayton, Georgia 30525.
Beck Funeral Home, in Clayton, Ga., is in charge of the arrangements. If there are any questions, please call 706-782-9599. An online Memorial Register Book is available at www.beckfuneralhome.com.
The Clayton Tribune
October 13, 2022